A Brit Horror Stephen King Named His Favorite 21st-Century Movie is Now on Prime

This movie scared and impressed one of the most prominent names in the horror genre, and now he wants you to see it.

American author and horror legend Stephen King has seen many of his spine-chilling, nightmare-inducing tales turned into chart-topping movies. Film adaptations of his novels include cult horror classics like The Shining, Carrie, and Pet Semetary, as well as later hits like IT, Doctor Sleep, and The Dark Tower. Not all of his stories are scary, as he is also the mind behind The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption, showing his versatility.

It's no surprise that he's been called the 'King of Horror,' and while few can compete with his brilliant and twisted tales, this master of horror is not afraid to give credit to other films in the genre that have impressed him. His list of top films of the 21st century includes Final Destination, Dawn of the Dead, and The Autopsy of Jane Doe.

Of all the horrors King has seen, one in particular has stayed with him, and now you can see it, too.

A caving expedition gone wrong struck a chord with King

According to King, 'in successful creepshows, it's not the FX, and mostly not even the monsters, that scare us. If we invest in the people, we invest in the movie… and in our own essential decency.' And that is exactly what the movie does.

Released in 2005, The Descent follows a group of women on a caving expedition that goes horribly wrong. The gory British film was written and directed by Neil Marshall, no stranger to horror and suspense, and starred Shauna Macdonald.

Dark and increasingly claustrophobic, the women discover signs of previous visitors to the cave, but their curiosity turns to panic when they become trapped and realize they are not alone in the depths of the cave system.

Turning on each other and being hunted by creatures with a taste for human flesh, The Descent plays on our most visceral fears, creating a sense of confusion, panic, and urgency with no escape. This was another point that stood out for King, who said:

'What gives the movie its resonance is how the women play against each other – their very real resentments (and secrets) allow us to believe the monsters in a way that most horror movies do not.'

King wasn't the only fan of The Descent

The horror author urges fans of the genre to watch The Descent, but he's not the only one who enjoyed the movie. Receiving a 76% rating from audiences and an impressive 87% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, The Descent has proven to be a thoughtfully planned and executed film, with strong performances from the cast and a story full of heart-pounding suspense that brings our fears to the surface. One critic even commented that The Descent is 'horror done right,' and we couldn't agree more.

Interestingly, The Descent has two very different endings. The original ending in the UK version was reviewed and deemed too dark and disturbing for US audiences, so changes were made to the conclusion for those watching in the States.

If you're feeling brave and ready to experience the horror that has earned itself a worthy place as Stephen King's favorite film of the 21st century, then The Descent is for you.

The Descent is now available on Amazon Prime. Get ready to bid farewell to a peaceful night's sleep.